I’m proud to say that I accomplished most of my resolutions from last year. 2025 became a real reset for me, serving as a chance to recharge and rethink how I want to move through this next phase of life.

This year is about real follow‑through, committing to making progress on the goals I’ve let slide in the past. In the clinic, I used SMART goals to help ensure that care is clear, measurable, and aligned with my clients’ needs:

• Specific – the goal is clear and focused
• Measurable – progress can be tracked and know when it’s achieved
• Achievable – realistic to one’s current capacity and circumstances
• Relevant – aligns with one’s values and priorities
• Time-bound – the deadline or time frame for the goal to be met

Using this method for my resolutions, I’m aiming to lock these habits in for good. It’s a lifestyle change; a deliberate break from routines that just don’t fit me anymore.

Going through my initial list of intentions, I realized everything really falls into three buckets: Effort, Time, and Money. Sure, there will be little side quests here and there (like finishing those lingering projects), but these are the areas I’m centering my year around.

I once heard someone say, “The goals I had in my 20s aren’t the same as the ones I have in my 40s,” and it really resonated. As I curated this list, I noticed that my goals did somewhat resemble the ones I had back in college/grad school, but the difference now is the intention.

Physical Effort

This goal touches many parts of my relationship with physical fitness. In my twenties, I wanted to lose weight to gain outside attention and attraction, hoping it would boost my confidence. That mindset led me toward unhealthy extremes and a perfectionist approach that ultimately did more harm than good. This time around, I want to feel stronger and make healthier choices that support my long‑term well‑being, with the added bonus of feeling more confident. It’s a bit cliché, but I’m doing it for me this time around. No one else.

Long-term goal: I will lose a minimum of 6 pounds by the end of the year and sustain that progress through ongoing healthy habits.

• Short term goal – Within the next 12 weeks, I will increase the weight on key strength exercises by training consistently 3 times per week.
• Short term goal – For the next 12 weeks, I will build healthier eating habits by using a meal tracker consistently, incorporating more protein into my meals, and following a steady intermittent‑fasting window each day.

Time

Oh my gawd, I can never seem to get this one right. Even though I’ve become more intentional with my time and more present with the people around me, the fatigue I’ve been feeling is dragging down both the quality and completion of my responsibilities. I’m either falling behind and scrambling to catch up, or I’m procrastinating because I don’t have the physical energy to get things done. And the reason isn’t a mystery: I don’t get enough sleep. I go to bed way too late despite waking up early, and the exhaustion follows me through the entire day. It affects everything. My sleep hygiene is terrible and it’s time to fix it.

Long-term goal: By the end of the year, I will feel more productive with my time by creating a weekly rhythm that supports focus, reduces procrastination, and keeps my priorities on track.

• Short term goal – For the next 12 weeks, I will follow a nightly routine and a consistent bedtime that allows me to get 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Short term goal – In 12 weeks, I will improve my daily productivity by finishing my top three tasks each day within the time I’ve allotted for them.

Money

I’ve generally been good with money but honestly, this goal comes from that familiar feeling of never quite having enough. The trauma stems from a Vegas girls’ trip a few years back. Even though everything was planned and budgeted, the sticker shock hit hard and sent me into a spiral of guilt and a slightly unhealthy mindset about money and spending. With an upcoming girls’ trip to Salem, I’m worried those same feelings might come back. In short, I don’t want to feel like I don’t have enough money for the things I want to enjoy.

Long-term goal: By year’s end, I want to feel financially secure by making steady progress on saving, spending with intention, and building a cushion that supports my peace of mind.

• Short term goal – For the next 12 weeks, I will stay within my monthly budget by following a weekly money check‑in and adjusting my spending as needed.
• Short term goal – For the next 12 weeks, I will save a set amount of money each week and track my progress in a simple savings log.

These goals may seem simple but for me, they feel essential. Each time I reach a short‑term goal, I’ll set a new one and keep building steady progress. I hope you’re all finding your rhythm this new year and putting your long‑term goals into motion.